USA - Texas. Rais Bhuiyan is suing Gov. Rick Perry to stop the state from executing the man who shot him in the head nearly 10 years ago

Victim Sues to Stop July 20 Execution. Rais Bhuiyan is suing Gov. Rick Perry to stop the state from executing the man who shot him in the head nearly 10 years ago. “I never hated him,” Bhuiyan said at a press conference this morning. “ I was never angry at him." Bhuiyan, a Bangladesh Muslim who lives in Dallas, filed a lawsuit claiming that Texas would violate his rights as a victim by proceding with the scheduled execution of Mark Stroman on July 20. Bhuiyan, the sole survivor of the September 2001 Dallas convenience store shooting spree, believes that Stroman is reformed and wants Perry to halt the execution. On Sept. 21, 2001 Stroman, a methamphetamine addict suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, walked into a Dallas convenience store and went on a rampage after his half-sister was killed in the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers. Stroman is reported to have cried when he was told about Bhuiyan’s efforts to have his death sentenced commuted. “I am sorry to say I made innocent people pay for my rage, anger, grief and loss,” he said. “I have destroyed my victims’ families as well as my own. Out of pure anger and stupidity, I did some things to some men from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh. And, now, I sit on death row awaiting execution. And, by no means, am I proud of what I have done.” Stroman wrote on his blog. Stroman shot 3 people, and only Bhuiyan survived. The gunshot felt like a million bees hitting his face, he said. But even as blood poured down the side of his head, he said he never lost hope that he would survive. Now, he's hoping that by pursuing his rights as a victim he can help Stroman survive. “I grew mentally and spiritually over the years,” Bhuiyan said, “and I realized hate does not bring anything but fear." He hopes if the execution is stayed that Stroman will speak out against hate crimes and advocate for peace. Lucy Nashed, a Perry spokeswoman, said Wednesday that his office was unaware of the lawsuit. In order to grant clemency for Stroman, she said, the governor would need to receive a favorable recommendation from the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. Bhuiyan is also suing Brad Livingston, executive director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; Angi McCown, director of TDJC victim services division; and Rissie Owens, chairwoman of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. TDCJ officials did not immediately return a phone call requesting comment. (see also May 22, 2011).